- Chemical Sampling Information
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- Nitrogen Dioxide
Nitrogen Dioxide
General Description
Synonyms: Diesel exhaust component; Dinitrogen tetroxide (N2O4); NO2; Nitrogen peroxide; Nitrogen tetroxide
OSHA IMIS code: 1903
CAS number: 10102-44-0
Monitoring Methods used by OSHA
Laboratory Sampling/Analytical Method:
- molecular sieve (water washed, triethanolamine impregnated)
- maximum volume: 3 L
- maximum flow rate: 0.2 L/min (STEL or Ceiling)
- current analytical method: ion chromatography; IC
- method reference: OSHA ID-182 (fully validated)
- note: Submit as a separate sample.
Exposure Limits and Health Effects (Updated September 6, 2012)
Standard Set By | Exposure Limit | Health Effect Codes -- Health Effects and Target Organs |
---|---|---|
OSHA PEL - General Industry See 29 CFR 1910.1000 Table Z-1 |
5 ppm (9 mg/m3) TWA | |
HE10 -- chronic bronchitis, emphysema | ||
HE15 -- eye, nose, and upper respiratory irritation | ||
OSHA PEL - Construction Industry See 29 CFR 1926.55 Appendix A |
5 ppm (9 mg/m3) TWA | |
HE10 -- chronic bronchitis, emphysema | ||
HE15 -- eye, nose, and upper respiratory irritation | ||
OSHA PEL - Shipyard Employment See 29 CFR 1915.1000 Table Z - Shipyards |
5 ppm (9 mg/m3) TWA | |
HE10 -- chronic bronchitis, emphysema | ||
HE15 -- eye, nose, and upper respiratory irritation | ||
NIOSH REL | 1 ppm (1.8 mg/m3) STEL | HE7 -- mild headache |
HE10 -- bronchiolitis obliterans | ||
HE11 -- acute pulmonary edema; lower respiratory irritation (cough, dyspnea) | ||
HE15 -- eyes, nose, and throat irritation | ||
ACGIH TLV® (2011) | 0.2 ppm (0.38 mg/m3) TWA A4 |
HE11 -- lower respiratory irritation |
CAL/OSHA PELs | 1 ppm (1.8 mg/m3) STEL |
Carcinogenic classification:
- NTP: Not listed
- IARC: Not listed
- EPA: Not listed
EPA Inhalation Reference Concentration (RfC): Not established
ATSDR Inhalation Minimal Risk Levels (MRLs): Not established
NIOSH IDLH concentration: 20 ppm
Notes on other potential health effects and hazards:
- Nitrogen dioxide may increase bronchoconstriction in asthmatics at concentrations as low as 0.1 ppm (Roger et al. 1990).
- Nitrogen dioxide is a component of silo gas thought to cause the sometimes fatal "silo filler's disease" (Douglas et al. 1989).
- Nitrogen dioxide itself is not combustible, but it may enhance the combustion of other chemicals (NIOSH/IPCS 2003).
- Nitrogen dioxide may exert an allergic response on the bronchial epithelium and may predispose the respiratory tract to viral infections (Pathmanathan et al. 2003; Frampton et al. 2002).
- NO2 exposure may reduce bronchociliar activity (Helleday et al. 1995).
- Even at low exposures, NO2 may increase asthmatic exacerbations following respiratory infections (Linaker et al. 2000).
Partial reference list:
- ACGIH: Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs) - Nitrogen Dioxide. 2016.
- Douglas, W.W., Hepper, N.G., and Colby, T.V.: Silo-filler's disease. Mayo Clin. Proc. 64(3): 291-304, 1989.
- Frampton, M.W., Boscia, J., Roberts, N.J. Jr., Azadniv, M., Torres, A., Cox, C., Morrow, P.E., Nichols, J., Chalupa, D., Frasier, L.M., Gibb, F.R., Speers, D.M., Tsai, Y., Utell, M.J.: Nitrogen dioxide exposure: effects on airway and blood cells. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 282(1):L155-65, Jan 2002.
- Helleday, R., Huberman, D., Blomberg, A., Stjernberg, N., Sandstrom, T.: Nitrogen dioxide exposure impairs the frequency of the mucociliary activity. Eur Respir J. 8(10):1664-8, Oct 1995.
- Linaker, C.H., Coggon, D., Holgate, S.T., Clough, J., Josephs, L., Chauhan, A.J., Inskip, H.M.: Personal exposure to nitrogen dioxide and risk of airflow obstruction in asthmatic children with upper respiratory infection. Thorax. 55(11):930-3, Nov 2000.
- NIOSH: Criteria for a Recommended Standard - Occupational Exposure to Oxides of Nitrogen (Nitrogen Dioxide and Nitric Oxide). 1976.
- NIOSH: Occupational Health Guideline for Nitrogen Dioxide. 1978.
- NIOSH/CEC/IPCS: International Chemical Safety Cards - Nitrogen dioxide. 2003.
- Pathmanathan, S., Krishna, M.T., Blomberg, A., Helleday, R., Kelly, F.J., Sandstrom, T., Holgate, S.T., Wilson, S.J., Frew, A.J.: Repeated daily exposure to 2 ppm nitrogen dioxide upregulates the expression of IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, and ICAM-1 in the bronchial epithelium of healthy human airways. Occup Environ Med. 60(11):892-6, Nov 2003.
- Roger, L.J., Horstman, D.H., McDonnell, W., Kehrl, H., Ives, P.J., Seal, E., Chapman, R., Massaro, E.: Pulmonary function, airway responsiveness, and respiratory symptoms in asthmatics following exercise in NO2. Toxicol Ind Health. 6(1):155-71, Jan 1990.
Additional Information
- Department of Transportation Regulation Number (49 CFR 172.101) and Emergency Response Guidebook: 1067 124.
- NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards - Nitrogen Dioxide.
- NIOSH: Registry of Toxic Effects (RTECS) Identification Number - QW9800000.
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